The Free Fringe throws up decent fare with “You Just Missed It” falling into that category.
Written and directed well by Louis Maingay, it is set around an attempt by Fringe newbies to stage their first play at the festival.
Life imitates art in this case with those performing at CC Blooms at the Fringe for the first time.
For the vast majority of the show, it is a fun watch that highlights the imposter syndrome directors and actors feel when staging their own show.
That insecurity is shown through in the play by the actors who rely on drink and attempted sex with whoever happens to be passing to boost their fragile egos.
Charles Griffin, who plays the main character, is the glue who keeps the play together. He plays his character, who has illusions of theatrical grandeur, in the style of a drunken Jack Whitehall and does it very well. He also has an English middle-class aura and square jaw that suggests he should never be short of parts in Midsomer Murders.
Fiona Bistrova is excellent as the God-fearing actress and has the stage presence not to be overshadowed by the larger than life character player by Griffin. It is only a single line from Hamlet she reads at the end, but it is an excellent, touching delivery in the context of the play.
Teenager Otto Monge is superb as the objectionable smart-ass who hides his insecurity through bad jokes and sexual innuendo. Think Chandler from Friends with a British accent.
The only flaw, and a few extra lines of explanation would help, is why Griffin appears topless near the end, and everything suddenly collapses around them.
Granted, he is having a manic episode, and things are chaotic, but they seem to go south a bit too quickly for my liking, especially as they had tried so hard to keep their show on the road. Sort that out by adding a few lines of explanation; then this is a fun way to spend your time at one of the best free events on the fringe.
The play You Just Missed It has daily performances at CC Blooms (Venue 171) during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It runs from 15:00 to 15:50 on multiple dates through to August 30, 2026. Entry is free as part of the Free Fringe, with no booking required.
